Apparatus for converting high-loader to backhoe

ABSTRACT

Apparatus is provided for converting a tractor-mounted highloader to a backhoe. The conventional high-loader bucket is replaced with an extension beam having a backhoe shovel affixed to the free end. Power-actuated means are provided to controllably adjust the vertical position of the extension beam and backhoe shovel, and power-actuated means are provided to effect lateral movement of the extension beam and backhoe bucket.

United States Patent [191 Lofgreen APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING HIGH-LOADER TO BACKHOE [76] Inventor: Harold M. Lofgreen, Rt. 6, Box

l29-L, Apache Junction, Ariz.

[22] Filed: Oct. 18, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 298,522

[52] US. Cl 214/145, 214/131 A, 214/620 [51] Int. Cl E02f 3/70 [58] Field of Search... 214/145, 131 A, 620, 138 R,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,732,996 5/1973 Bauer 214/131 A 3,042,236

7/1962 Pilch 214/151 [451 Apr. 9, 1974 3,107,799 10/1963 Briscoe 214/145 2,470,147 5/1949 f Cramer.... 214/138 R 2,742,165 4/1956 Pilch Primary Examiner Albert J. Makay Attorney, Agent, or Firm-William H. Drummond 5 7] ABSTRACT Apparatus is provided for converting a tractormounted high-loader to a backhoe. The conventional high-loader bucket is replaced with an extension beam having a backhoe shovel affixed to the free end. Power-actuated means are provided to controllably adjust the vertical position of the extension beam and backhoe shovel, and power-actuated means are provided to effect lateral movement of the extension beam and I backhoe bucket.

'1 Claim,"2 Drawing Figures APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING HIGH-LOADER TO BACKHOE This invention relates to conversion apparatus for converting a tractor-mounted high-loader to a backhoe.

More particularly, the invention relates to apparatus which is interchangeable with a high-loader bucket for converting the high-loader to a backhoe.

- In a further and more particular respect, the invention concerns apparatus of the type described which can be quickly and conveniently attached and detached from a conventional tractor-mounted high-loader trestle in such manner that the utility of the tractor and associated equipment is substantially increased.

Tractor-mounted high-loaders are quite well known in the art. While the details of construction of tractormounted high-loaders vary somewhat, they generally in fact almost invariably include a pair of elongate beams pivotally attached at the rear ends to the tractor, either directly to the tractor or to a frame which is in tum mounted on the tractor. A typical tractor-mounted high-loader also includes at least one cross-bracing member connecting the side beam members at or proximate' their forward ends. The resulting trestle member is raised or lowered by means of hydraulically operated cylinder-piston assemblies extending between pivotal mountings on the tractor and pivotal mountings on the trestle member.

In normal configuration, a high-loader bucket is generally pivotally mounted for up-and-down movement on the forward free end of the trestle member, and power-actuated means are provided for controllably effecting such movement.

Conventional backhoes are generally single-purpose units including a vehicle with the backhoe operating arm permanently mounted thereon and permanently attached hydraulic operators to move the backhoe arm and shovel in vertical directions to dig a trench and in lateral directions todeposit the earth removed from the trench in a pile alongside the trench.

Since a conventional backhoe is expensive and not suitable for performing other construction operations, it would be highly advantageous to provide apparatus for converting'a conventional tractor-mounted highloader so that it could also perform the operations of -a backhoe.

Accordingly, the principal object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for converting a tractormounted high-loader to a backhoe.

' Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus which is interchangeable with a conventional highloader bucket to convert the machine to operate as a backhoe.

. Still another object of the invention is to provide such conversion apparatus which can be quickly attached and detached from a conventional high-loader trestle member.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description thereof taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a tractor provided with highloader apparatus and the conversion apparatus of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a top view of the forward end of the highloader trestle and rear portion of the conversion apparatus of FIG. 1 further illustrating the mode of construction and operation thereof.

Briefly, in accordance with my invention, I provide conversion apparatus for converting a conventional tractor-mounted high-loader to a backhoe. The tractormounted high-loader generallyincludes a rectangular generally U-shaped trestle member comprising a pair of laterally spaced elongate beam members extending along the sides of the tractor and forwardly therefrom. At least one lateral cross-bracing member connects the beam members proximate the forward ends thereof. Means are provided for pivotally mounting the rear ends of the beam members upon the tractor. Hydraulically operated cylinder-piston means are operatively associated with the tractor and the trestle member for controllably raising and lowering the forward free end of the trestle member. Means are also provided for pivotally mounting a high-loader bucket on the forward free end of the trestle member for rotational movement in the vertical directions and first power-actuated means are provided for controllably rotating the high loader bucket in the vertical directions as aforesaid. My novel conversion apparatus comprises a mounting'member adapted for pivotal connection to the forward freeend of the trestle member in place of the high-loader bucket. The mounting member is adapted for connection to the aforementioned first poweractuated means such that it can be rotated around its pivotal connections in vertical directions. An elongate extension beam is provided, the 'rear endof which is pivotally mounted on the mounting member for movement of the forward free end thereof in lateral directions. Second power-actuated means controllably rotate the extension beam around its pivotal connection in lateral directions. A backhoe shovel is pivotally mounted on the forward free end'of the extension beam for movement in vertical directions, and third poweractuated means are provided for controllably effecting this movement of the backhoe shovel. In the drawings, the presently preferred embodiment of the invention is depicted for purposes of illustration, and-like numerals identify the same parts in theseveral views.

The drawings illustrate a conventional tractor 10 on which is mounted a typical high-loader mechanism consisting of a trestle beam 11 pivotally attached at its rear end 12toa special frame 13 mounted on the tractor 10 in such manner that the forward, end 14 of the trestle member 11 can be raised or lowered by operation of the cylinder-piston assembly 15 between a fully raised position, as shown, and a fully depressed position, as indicated by the dashed lines 16. As shown in the drawings, the conventional high-loader bucket has been removed from the forward end 14 of the trestle member 11 and replaced with the elements comprising my backhoe conversion apparatus, includinga mounting member 17 pivotally connected 18 to the trestle member 11 in place of the conventional high-loader bucket, an elongate extension beam 19, the rear end of which is pivotally connected 20 to the mounting member 17, and a conventional backhoe shovel 21 pivotally mounted 22 to the forward free end of the extension beam 19. The cylinder-piston assembly 23, which normally controllably operates the high-loader bucket, is connected 24 to the mounting member 17. Another piston-cylinder assembly 25 extends between the mounting member 17 and the extension beam 19 to controllably effect lateral movement thereof. Still another piston-cylinder assembly 26 extending between a mid-point of the extension beam 19 and a linkage assembly 27 controllably effects positioning of the backhoe shovel 21 to perform its customary trenching operanon.

The mode of operation of the apparatus shown in the drawings will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For illustrative purposes, the upper limit of travel of the extension beam 19 relative the trestle member 11 is shown by the dashed lines 28 of FIG. 1, and the extreme lateral movement of the extension beam 19 is shown by the dashed lines 29 of FIG. 2. Further vertical movement of the bucket 21 21 is afforded by the trestle member 11. As the trestle member 11 raises to the position shown in FIG. 1 and lowers to the position as indicated by the dashed lines 16, the conversion apparatus is carried therewith. Further details such as the exact mode of connection of the hydraulic lines to the various cylinder-piston assemblies and controls need not be supplied since such details arein accordance with art-recognized expedients It is noted that as shown in FIG. 1, the hydraulic lines from the various cylinder piston assemblies are connected to controls located at the operators station.

Having described my invention in such full, clear and concise terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to understand and practice it, and having identified the presently preferred embodiment of my invention,

I claim:

1. The combination of a. a tractor having high-loader elements mounted thereon; and

b. conversion apparatus for converting said tractor high-loader to a backhoe, said conversion appara tractor and extending forwardly therefrom and at least one lateral cross-bracing member connecting said beam members proximate the forward ends thereof,

2. means for pivotally mounting the rear ends of said beam members upon said tractor,

3. hydraulically operated cylinder-piston means operatively associated with said tractor and said trestle member for controllably raising and lowering the forward free end of said trestle member,

4. means for pivotally mounting a high-loader bucket on the forward free end of said trestle member for rotational movement in the vertical directions, and

5. a first power-actuated means carried by said trestle member for controllably rotating saidhigh-loader bucket in vertical directions around its said pivotal mounting, said conversion apparatus comprising:

6. a mounting member adapted for pivotal connection to the forward free end of said trestle member in place of said high-loader bucket and adapted for connection to said' first poweractuated means for rotation around said pivotal connection in vertical directions;

7. an elongate extension beam, the rear end of which is pivotally mounted on said mounting member for movement of the forward free end thereof in lateral directions;

8. second power-actuated means for controllably rotating said extension b'eam around its said pivotal mounting in said lateral directions;

9. a backhoe shovel pivotally mounted on the forward free end of said extension beam for movement in vertical directions; and

10. third power-actuated means for controllably rotating said shovel around its said pivotal connection in said vertical directions. 

1. The combination of a. a tractor having high-loader elements mounted thereon; and b. conversion apparatus for converting said tractor high-loader to a backhoe, said conversion apparatus being operatively dependent upon high-loader elements to provide a tractor mounted backhoe; said tractor high-loader comprising:
 1. a rectangular generally U-shaped trestle member comprising a pair of laterally spaced elongate beam members extending along the sides of said tractor and extending forwardly therefrom and at least one lateral cross-bracing member connecting said beam members proximate the forward ends thereof,
 2. means for pivotally mounting the rear ends of said beam members upon said tractor,
 3. hydraulically operated cylinder-piston means operatively associated with said tractor and said trestle member for controllably raising and lowering the forward free end of said trestle member,
 4. means for pivotally mounting a high-loader bucket on the forward free end of said trestle member for rotational movement in the vertical directions, and
 5. a first power-actuated means carried by said trestle member for controllably rotating said high-loader bucket in vertical directions around its said pivotal mounting, said conversion apparatus comprising:
 6. a mounting member adapted for pivotal connection to the forward free end of said trestle member in place of said highloader bucket and adapted for connection to said first poweractuated means for rotation around said pivotal connection in vertical directions;
 7. an elongate extension beam, the rear end of which is pivotally mounted on said mounting member for movement of the forward free end thereof in lateral directions;
 8. second power-actuated means for controllably rotating said extension beam around its said pivotal mounting in said lateral directions;
 9. a backhoe shovel pivotally mounted on the forward free end of said extension beam for movement in vertical directions; and
 10. third power-actuated means for controllably rotating said shovel around its said pivotal connection in said vertical directions.
 2. means for pivotally mounting the rear ends of said beam members upon said tractor,
 3. hydraulically operated cylinder-piston means operatively associated with said tractor and said trestle member for controllably raising and lowering the forward free end of said trestle member,
 4. means for pivotally mounting a high-loader bucket on the forward free end of said trestle member for rotational movement in the vertical directions, and
 5. a first power-actuated means carried by said trestle member for controllably rotating said high-loader bucket in vertical directions around its said pivotal mounting, said conversion apparatus comprising:
 6. a mounting member adapted for pivotal connection to the forward free end of said trestle member in place of said high-loader bucket and adapted for connection to said first power-actuated means for rotation around said pivotal connection in vertical directions;
 7. an elongate extension beam, the rear end of which is pivotally mounted on said mounting member for movement of the forward free end thereof in lateral directions;
 8. second power-actuated means for controllably rotating said extension beam around its said pivotal mounting in said lateral directions;
 9. a backhoe shovel pivotally mounted on the forward free end of said extension beam for movement in vertical directions; and
 10. third power-actuated means for controllably rotating said shovel around its said pivotal connection in said vertical directions. 